I don't know anything of the others at least from experience, but River Mallard calls rock. I probably still have a sound file around here some place from the one I use to have I own one of his contest calls now the bottom end of the call is great the top end is awesome too when I can find it. His calls are fully functional.
I highly recomend River Mallard calls he is another one of those "little known" call makers that make a call every bit as good as the bigger makers. From my experience you will get a good call at a good price, and one on one customer service too.

You had better be prepared to outbid me now though.lol :toofunny: jk
Enjoy,

Can't help with those, but I got my QH J-frame and by Buck Gardner Tall Timber II and Double Nasty II on e-bay cheep and they are great calls. Used the J and Timber to call in the late season birds no problem!

Scobey's goose call is a 'permanent fixture' on my lanyard.....produces an outstanding high pitch very effective on windy days and a compliment to the low tones of a flute. it is a high quality call at a lower end price....can only assume their duck calls are of the same quality, but have never tried them.

I started picking up some of the handmade calls about a year ago on Ebay - ones that struck my fancy in the $20-$40 range. I like the idea of giving the small craftsman a chance. In the process, I have found some really nice calls. Duckbait makes some really nice ones, and he's here in Maine. I also have a call from Let Em Lite that I really like. My favorites:

1) Duckbait SR laminated padauk/blackwood with wooden insert (real raspy - kinda sounds like my old Olt D-2, but doesn't take as much air). I also have a laminated DR w/poly insert which takes very little air. (Great for feed calling.)

2) Let 'Em Lite SR diamondwood w/ turned acrylic insert (not real loud, but great tonal range and control). I don't see this combo anymore, he seems to have all acrylic or wood w/ poly insert.

You never know. The best call maker in the world may be just some guy turning wood in his shed....